Dodge Charger SIXPACK Wins Detroit News 2025 Vehicle of the Year

The Detroit News names the Dodge Charger SIXPACK its 2025 Vehicle of the Year, citing performance, design, value, and the new multi-energy Charger lineup.

The new Dodge Charger powered by the SIXPACK gasoline engine has been named 2025 Vehicle of the Year by The Detroit News. The jury praised the model for its blend of strong performance, everyday usability and a design clearly inspired by the brand’s heritage, as well as for offering multiple powertrain choices within a single lineup.

The award-winning version is the Dodge Charger Scat Pack, equipped with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six Hurricane H.O. engine producing 550 horsepower. Power is delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard all-wheel drive and a selectable mode that sends torque exclusively to the rear wheels. According to the manufacturer, the Charger accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and completes the quarter mile in 12.2 seconds.

During the evaluation process, the Charger topped a field of 59 tested vehicles. Judges highlighted its dynamic character, confident handling and the practicality of its liftback-style body, which combines classic muscle car proportions with hatchback-like interior space. The Detroit News also pointed to the car’s strong value proposition, noting that it competes directly with more expensive European performance sedans.

This recognition follows additional industry acclaim. The SIXPACK-powered Dodge Charger was recently named Car of the Year at the TopGear.com U.S. Car Awards 2026, and the broader multi-energy Charger lineup has been selected as a finalist for the 2026 North American Car of the Year award. Together, these results suggest that Dodge’s strategy of combining internal combustion and electric options is resonating with both critics and market observers.

Deliveries of the 2026 Dodge Charger SIXPACK are already underway. For Dodge, the model represents not only the return of an iconic name, but also a demonstration of how a traditional muscle car can evolve while preserving the core character that defines the brand.